Oh I forgot to add that Brooks reminds me so much of a younger Urijah Faber — and I have a fight of his at the bottom — that perfectly encapsulates my thinking. The similarities jump off the screen.
While, Urijah had a bit better striking, it was still clumsily delivered and just clunky in its implementation. As with Uriah, I'm certain that Brooks will clean up I want out of this mess as he matures. However, at this point he's very vulnerable defensively. Look no further than Urijah's fight against former UFC lightweight stub Tyson Griffin. It was an absolute war, and all of the sudden Tyson uncorks a right-hand that sleeps Urijah. Importantly, Tyson was never known for his striking power — like at all. It was just that Urijah was so vulnerable to getting clipped due to his chaotic and unkempt striking fundamentals.
that defense of Lee he left himself vulnerable.
This was also the case when Urijah fought Mike Brown. Again, Mike Brown was never known to be a knockout artist, but Urijah was wild — like Brooks is — and his attempting a spinning elbow allowed Brown to hand out a free nap and take away his belt in the process.
So even if Shelton doesn't have lead in his fists, he can take advantage of a chaotic Brooks and use his momentum against him as he catches him flush with something coming in.
The unique footwork and explosive bursts into Brooks' techniques are what is most similar to TCK. As are his entries into the TD and subsequent guard passes and ensuing submission attempts. The transitions are fluid once he hits the ground, but he fought also often gets over aggressive and gives up position for submission.
This is a fight from an early Brooks.I'm not sure why this isn't on his record, but it illustrates what I am talking about in relation to Urijah . Keep in mind the guy he's fighting is 0-2 and it was in 2013. But you could see the athleticism and potential immediately.